My sister was my father's caregiver. She quit the day I brought him home from the hospital 3/3/22. I became his 24/7 caregiver when she quit. My dad died on 3/31/22. I returned to my dad's apt after paying for his cremation and the locks had been changed. The manager said she had been informed that I was not authorized to care for my dad and refused to open the door so I could get my things. The medical equipment needs to returned to the vendor and my dad's property needs to be packed up and removed from the apt. My sister is saying she is co-signer for my dad's apt. That's a lie. She is listed as the emergency contact only. Now the manager will not let anyone in the apt. Is that legal? How do I get help to get everything out and back to the rightful owners? The apt complex is HUD housing and I have proof I was authorized to care for my dad through IHSS. Hospice Ceva also assisted me with my dad's end-of-life care. The Social Worker from Hospice attempted to contact the manager and inform her I was authorized to care for my dad and I was hired by IHSS to be a caregiver. The manager was very rude and hung up on the Social Worker. I don't know what to do. I stayed with my dad for almost a month to provide 24/7 care. Can the manager change locks and not allow us to get everything out of the apt? Does the manager have the legal right to decide who can be the caregiver for my father?' The manager will not provide her supervisor's phone number. As a caregiver who provided 24/7 care for my dad and I stayed in his home, what rights do I have? All I want is my personal property and for the hospital equipment to be returned to the vendor. What happens if she won't open the door? What happens to my dad's property? Is she required to contact family, or does she get to take what she wants and throw everything else away? Please help me. My sister had no right to do this. Does the manager have to provide some type of documents before taking action the way she did? The manager can be abusive towards the seniors that reside at the apt complex. My father paid his rent by check and the manager did not deposit his check. She used the routing number on the check to collect the rent payment. My father's bank said she was not supposes to change his banking method, that it was fraudulent. That is an example of the manager's behavior.
Get the paperwork that shows you were his legitimate caregiver, call the police and tell them that this manager won't allow you access and can they come help you get your property. They will do this.
You must have something in writing and get it done now. There are time limits for clearing apartments out.
You should file complaints against this "manager", there is no excuse for abusing seniors, she needs to be reprimanded for her actions.
If your father died without a will then someone in the family will be appointed "administrator" (executor if there was a will) by the courts.
See an elder law attorney. Bring a will if you have one. If your Sister has a will in which she is appointed guardian, then SHE will be the executor. If there is no will the elder law attorney can help you get appointed through the court as administrator of estate and this gives you letters testamentary as is legally required to enter the apartment.
The landlord is doing much the same as any bank would do; he is locking down the estate of a person who has died until he is provided proof of who has a right to this estate.
The landlord will have his own set of rules according to your city's law. He will have to maintain this apartment as is for some time until the court can appoint an administrator. He will need proof of that person's right to enter.
As you can imagine, when someone dies it can be a bit of a free-for-all if unauthorized people enter and go through the belongings of a senior.
As to the equipment, if you did not rent it, if you did not pay for it, it is the responsiblity of those who did and the company that rented it to take up the issue of getting the equipment out; be certain you do not pay for anything; simply notify them your father has died and no one will let you in the apartment.
As to the landlord collecting rental? You need to notify your father's bank of his passing. Then the account will be FROZEN until there is an executor/administrator, and no one including landlord will get funds. Rental due on 1st day of month will stand for the rental until this matter is legally settled.
If you aren't wanting to be involved in settling any estate of your Dad's then do see Elder Law Attorney to arrange legal letter for your accompanied visit to the apartment to retrieve your personal effects.
I am so very sorry about the loss of your Dad.
Or, you can contact a local organization focused on renter's rights and ask get guidance on what you are legally able to do to gain entry. I'm sorry for this debaucle and for the loss of your father. May you gain access to his apartment and receive peace in your heart.